New Game, New Rules – Limiting the Risks of Biological Engineering
“Gain-of-function” research involves creating more contagious forms of highly pathogenic avian flu in the laboratory to learn what genetic changes are required for a flu strain to cause a pandemic. The main question is whether the scientific knowledge provided by making flu strains more contagious outweighs the risk of a lab accident or deliberate misuse that could lead to an outbreak of these enhanced viruses. [Foreign Affairs] Editorial|Press Release